Chanel

DYSTOPIAN DRAMAParis: As with all of his shows, the set for Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Haute Couture collection spoke volumes about his inspiration for the season. The designer recreated the Place Vendôme with neon lights, placing atop its obelish a statue of Coco Chanel in place of Napoleon. The hauntingly futuristic depiction of the Paris landmark set the tone for the show. Like his F/W 11 collection, Lagerfeld worked in a palette of mostly black grey and deep blue, adding jarring pops of magenta for effect, and black lace veils covered the models’ eyes. Peplums over pencil skirts created a new hourglass silhouette, though the classic boxy Chanel shape was shown, as well. Intricate beading, sequin embellishments and feathers added opulence and luxury. The designer recently acquired a set of stills from the 1927 Fritz Lang film Metropolis, and the dystopian, sci-fi theme seemed to have seeped into the current collection; the show ended with the models’ boots emitting eerie blue light. –Joanna Manganaro